The line is the same for both guys and girls. Players try not to step over it, bracing themselves as they stand before it. They breathe deeply and concentrate on a couple dribbles as the band raises its hands in anticipation.

And most of all, don't miss. It's called the free-throw line for a reason. And Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland expects better than 76.4 percent on the season from her Lady Lions. Every shot is the same, or at least the line doesn't move.

"They shoot 50 a day," Portland said. "I guess that's not enough for these guys."

On Tuesday, the Penn State women's basketball team shot 91.7 percent from the charity stripe against George Mason. Sophomore guard Adrienne Squire went 6-of-6 at from the line, including 4-of-4 while in the bonus to help the Lady Lions hold on for a 68-60 win.

Squire has never missed a free throw in her collegiate career at 32-of-32, including 22-of-22 this season. But like everyone else, Squire continues to shoot on her own before or after practice. It's "the will to prepare" that Portland emphasizes when she goes out recruiting.

"They know they have to do that. That's part of the scholarship," Portland said. "That's explained while I'm sitting in their living room, that's your time."

In the middle of practice, Portland will grab a random player and tell her to shoot the one-and-one. It's always a different person, and Portland always makes sure to add a little extra pressure to the shot. Nobody likes to run suicides, and no one likes being the one.

"And I say, 'If you miss, everybody runs,' " Portland said with a grin.

Those grins were absent Nov. 20, when junior forward Amanda Brown stepped to the line with five seconds remaining in the second half, with Penn State trailing Villanova 60-59. The front end of the one-and-one, Brown had a chance to give her team the lead.

As she released the shot, the home crowd waited in anticipation, only to collapse into their chairs as the ball disobediently bounced off the rim into the hands of Wildcat Jackie Adamshick. Villanova would go on to win 62-59.

For the season, Brown is a 77.3 percent shooter from the line, having the most attempts on the team with 44. The fear of missing a shot hasn't stopped Brown from aggressively crashing to the basket, because she wants that opportunity again in the clutch.

"Yeah, that's the position I want to be in," Brown said after the Villanova loss. "I mean, I didn't succeed in it tonight, but another night I will."

Brown hasn't gotten that opportunity yet, but against Texas Tech on Sunday, freshman forward Courtney Molinaro was there in her place. In the second overtime with the score at 71-69 in the Lady Lions' favor, Molinaro stared down the basket as Brown and the rest of the team concentrated their will toward their teammate.

The first bounced around the rim, seemingly taking wind towards the backboard and out. Molinaro leaned back as the other players on the sideline kept their eyes reeled in on the basketball. Gently the ball floated down to earth, first remembering to pass through the net.

Everyone at the Bryce Jordan Center breathed a collective sigh of relief. The front end of the one-and-one was good, and the second one followed suit. Both baskets helped seal the deal for Penn State.

This was a relief for the Lady Lions and for Brown, who saw freshman Brianne O'Rourke crumble under the pressure before the overtimes even began, missing two free throws and leaving the score tied at 46. But watching the tape of the game, Portland was interested in Brown on the sideline.

"I was interested watching the tape when Brianne misses a foul shot, and we go into overtime, how Amanda Brown's mouth is moving the whole time," Portland said. "Probably telling her about the Villanova game, you know, been there, done that, get over it."

The Lady Lions have gotten over their free-throw ills. The Patriots showed that failing to convert from the charity stripe is a virus that can strike any team. George Mason went 5-of-11 on free throws in the second half.

And yesterday when Penn State returned to practice, things remained the same. While it might not be a physical practice, just a walkthrough, some things are always the same. The lines haven't moved, so the drill will be the same. Even after a road trip.

"That doesn't mean we are not going to practice, just shadowing. Shoot foul shots," Portland said.